THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 


THE  COLLECTION  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINIANA 

ENDOWED  BY 

JOHN  SPRUNT  HILL 

CLASS  OF  1889 

C378 

UK3 
1836P 


UNIVERSITY  OF  N.C.  AT  CHAPEL  HILL 


00036720708 


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«*THE  SPIRIT  OF  THE  AGE." 


Tr.^%j\  8,uj:.~ 


AI%  ADDRESS 


I)£I,IT£REn  B£FORS 


THE  TWO  LITERARY  SOCIETIES 


UNIVERSITY  OF  NORTH-CAHOLESTA; 


»y 


Hon.  HEXRY  I..  PIKCKl^JEY. 


Publisbe4  by  the  request  of  the  Philanthropic  Society, 


RALEIGH : 

PRINTED  BY  J.  GALES  ft  SOW. 
1836. 


JC?*  The  great  pressure  ofoffici.il  business  having  rendered  it  im- 
possible for  the  distinguished  Author  of  this  Address  to  leave  his 
post  in  Congress,  and  complj  with  the  agreement  into  which  he  had 
entered  with  the  Philanthropic  Sociely,  a  copy  of  it  was  forwarded 
by  him,  and  read  before  the  two  Societies,  by  the  President  of  the 
University,  Hon.  David  L.  Swain. 

The  accidental  obliteration  of  the  manuscript  has  occasioned  con- 
siderable delay  in  the  publication  of  the  Address. 


CORRESPONDENCE. 


U:?iTKnsiTT  OF  NoRTH-CinoLriTA,  August  11,  1836. 
SIR:  We  aro  under  the  disagreeable  necessity  of  informing  you  that  the  man- 
uscript of  the  able  Address  you  had  the  kindness  to  transmit  to  us,  has  been  acci- 
dentally  destroyed  in  the  Office  to  which  it  was  sent  for  publication.  We  have 
been  Instructed  by  the  Philanthropic  Society  to  apprize  you  of  this  fact,  and  request 
another  copy,  if,  fortunately,  the  original  is  in  your  possession.  You  will  add 
another  to  the  great  obligations  under  which  we  already  lie,  by  granting  thii  out 
request. 

We  are,  Sir,  with  much  respect  and  esteem,  your's  truly, 
AUGUSTUS  BENNERS, 
JOSEPH  B.  CHERRY,  ^  Coramittoe. 

WILLIAM  S.  PETTIGREW, 

Hon.  Hbxst  L.  Pikckszt. 


.,! 


Chami-eston,  August  26,  1836. 
GENTLEMEN  :  I  have  the  honor  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  favor, 
requesting  another  copy  of  my  Address  for  publication,  and  assigning  the  reasons 
why  it  became  necessary  to  apply  for<another  copy.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  say 
hat  the  reasons  assigned  are  not  only  perfectly  satisfactory,  but  that  I  feel  deeply 
indebted  for  the  kind  manner  in  which  you  have  conveyed  them.  In  compliance 
with  your  request,  I  transmit  you  another  copy  by  the  same  mail  which  will  carry 
this.  Allow  me  again.  Gentlemen,  to  express  my  deep  regret  that  I  was  unable 
to  attend  you  personally,  and  make  the  pleasure,  which  would  have  been  very  great, 
of  your  personal  acquaintance,  and  to  beg  you  to  present  to  the  Philanthropic  So- 
ciety, of  which  I  am  proud  to  be  a  member,  and  to  accept  for  yourselves,  the  assu- 
rance of  the  respect  and  esteem  with  which  I  am, 

Your's  truly, 

HENRY  L.  PINCKNEY. 
Mcsere.  ArotrsTtrs  Bkhkehs,         ^ 

Joseph  B.  Chbrht,  >  CorumitJtee. 

WllUAM  S.  Pkttigrbw,  J 


ADDRESS. 


Gentlemen — In  compliance  with  your  invitation,  I  ap- 
pear before  you.  Prudence,  indeed,  would  liave  deterred  mo 
from  tlie  acceptance  of  a  station,  hitherto  illustrated  hy  the 
genius  and  the  eloquence  of  your  Gastons  and  your  Iredeels  ; 
but  patriotism  forbade  me  to  decline  a  service,  by  the  execution 
of  which,  I  might  contribute,  however  partially  or  feebly,  to 
llje  promotion  of  liberal  intercourse  between  the  States  to  which 
we  are  respectively  attached.  They  ought  to  be  united  by  the 
strongest  ties  of  amity.  They  were  both  Colonies  of  the  Bri- 
tish Crown.  They  were  members  of  the  old  Confederation. 
They  were  two  of  tlic  old  Thirken,  who  resisted  the  tyranny, 
and  threw  off  the  dominion  of  tiie  Parent  Country.  They  de- 
liberated together  in  the  Continental  Congress;  fought  toge- 
ther in  the  Revolutionary  battle-grounds ;  partook  the  same 
dangers  ;  achieved  the  same  triumphs  j  and  now  enjoy,  in  their 
common  freedom,  the  inestimable  reward  of  their  common  suf- 
ferings and  toils.  If  South  Carolina  can  boast  of  the  victory 
of  Fort  Moultrie,  and  still  wears,  fi-esh  and  unfaded,  the  lau- 
rels of  King's  Mountain,  and  other  fields  of  deathless  fame,  to 
North  Carolina  alone  belongs  the  high  and  signal  honor  of 
having  originated  the  Declaration  of  American  Independence. 
If  the  one  can  point  to  a  long  line  of  illustrious  sons,  of  whom 
she  can  say,  with  Cornelia,  these  are  my  jewels,  and  who,  like 
jewels,  always  shone  most  brightly  in  her  darkest  hour;  the 
Iiistory  of  the  other  is  emblazoned  by  many  an  exhibition  of 
intellect,  eloquence  and  virtue,  worthy  of  the  pnlmicst  dayt 


of  Greece  and  Rome.  If  the  former  entered  earlier  than  the 
latter  into  that  great  constitutional  compact,  by  which  the 
States  of  the  Confederacy  are  beautifully  blended  into  one,  and 
under  whose  auspicious  influence  they  Ir.ive  grown  with  almost 
niHgical  rapidity,  into  a  mighty  eni[)ire,  tiie  compai-ative  tar- 
diness of  tl)e  other  has  bco'i  more  than  compensated  by  licr 
uniform  devotion  to  tiie  objects  it  was  intended  to  accomplish, 
and  by  t!ie  ample  and  gratifying  evidence  it  furnis'jcs,  tbat  she 
will  never  wantonly  profane  tlie  temple  of  American  Liberty, 
nor  sacrilegiously  tear  down  tlie  pillars  of  the  sacred  edifice 
of  Union.  They  arc,  indeed,  Sisters,  in  every  sense  of  that 
endearing  relation — members  of  the  same  political  fimily,  liv- 
ing under  the  same  federative  system,  possessing  similar  forms 
of  State  Government,  speaking  the  same  language,  iiavingthe 
same  manners,  customs  and  religion,  enjoying  the  same  immu- 
nities and  privileges,  engaged  in  the  same  pursuits,  interested 
in  the  same  objects,  and  looking  forward,  through  the  vista  of 
futurity,  to  the  same  glorious  and  happy  destiny.  Who,  then, 
would  not  make  an  eflTort  to  cement  the  ties  that  subsist  between 
them?  Or  where  is  the  citizen  of  cither  of  them,  who  docs  not 
fervently  desire,  that,  as  they  arc  identified  in  interests  and 
institutions,  they  may  be  drawn  more  and  more  closely  to  each 
other,  by  reciprocations  of  liberal  and  kindly  sentiments,  until 
they  become  literally  identified  in  principle  and  feeling  ? 

And  now,  let  me  ask,  what  is  the  occasion  that  convenes 
us?  Why  this  numerous  assemblage,  and  the  evident  interest 
they  exhibit  in  the  scene  before  them?  Is  it  connected  witU 
party  principles,  or  with  objects  of  a  sectional  or  local  char- 
acter ?  Have  we  met  to  examine  the  internal  condition,  and 
foreign  relations  of  our  country?  Or,  to  investigate  the  sub- 
jects involved  in  the  approaching  election  of  a  Federal  Chief 
Magistrate?  Or,  to  lament  the  desolation  of  unhappy  Florida, 
nnd  weave  a  chaplet  for  the  gallant  men  who  flew  to  her  res- 
cue at  the  first  intimation  of  her  peril  ?  Or,  to  enquire  into  the 
policy  of  national  interference,  on  our  part,  in  the  sanguinary 
contest  now  carried  on  between  Mexico  and  Texas,  with  a  view 
to  the  Requisition  of  the  latter  by  our  Govenmient,  and  tiie  pros- 


pcctive  admission  into  this  Confeilcracy  of  several  additional 
slavclioldiiig  States,  into  >v!iic!i  so  extensive  a  triM-itory  might 
jiaturallj  be  diviilcd?  No!  we  meet  not  to  kindle  the  torch  of 
Alcrto,  or  to  minister  in  any  way  to  po])nlai'  prejudice  or  pas- 
sion. We  meet  not  to  array  j)arS;ics  sigaiiist  eacli  other  in  the 
field  of  sti"ife;  nor  to  exiiibit  the  tomaliavvk  or  scalping-knifo, 
reeking  with  the  gore  of  onr  nuii'dei-ed  countrymen  ;  nor  even 
to  aliude  to  the  measures  recently  adojited  for  the  protection 
of  (uir  frontiej'  against  a  savage  foe,  who  kuoMS  no  sweeter 
music  than  a  djiiig  groan,  nor  source  of  pleasure  than  a  gasp- 
ing babe.  Tojucs  of  this  kind  are  hut  little  in  unison  \Nith  tho 
feelings  and  offices  that  belong  to  the  Ansiiversary  which  thi*j 
respected  auditory  have  assembled  to  commemorate.  They 
have  left  the  world,  with  all  its  cares,  the  political  arena,  with 
all  its  tunniltiious  contention,  tiic  varied  sources  of  agitation 
that  arc  hourly  springing  up,  not  only  in  painful  occui'rences 
at  home,  but  in  the  exciting  scenes  tiiat  are  enacting  in  our 
ueighbouriiood — they  I'.avc  left  all  tlicsc,  to  covrimirg'e  fvir  a 
while  in  tliis  peaceful  abode  of  sciciice,  where,  shaking  off  all 
other  and  distracting  thougiits,  they  maiufest  their  devotion, 
and  give  their  powerful  aid  to  the  great  cause  of  Literature, 
by  ofTering  the  homage  of  frecTncn  at  its  sacred  shrine! 

Tills,  tlien,  is  the  cause  for  which  we  ai-e  convened.  This 
is  the  Commencement  of  yoiir  xiluia  Mater — when  literary 
honoi's  arc  awarded,  and  when  each  youthful  victor,  crowned 
with  laurels,  carries  to  his  Iiome,  and  to  the  worhl,  the  anima- 
ting evi<lencc  of  his  merit,  and  tlie  just  reward  of  his  assiduity 
and  rectitude.  To  you,  then,  who  are  closing  your  Collegiate 
career,  it  is  a  most  interesting  and  impoi'tant  i)eriod.  Hitherto, 
you  have  been  engaged  in  the  same  studies,  ejijoyingthc  same 
pleasures,  and  knowing  no  contention  but  generous  emulation 
in  the  ])ursuit  of  knowledge.  Hitlicrto,  you  have  lived  like  a 
band  of  brotiiers,  now  wooitig  wisdom  in  the  philosophic  grove, 
now  roaming  on  the  flowery  heights  of  Helicon,  now  mingling 
in  the  contests  of  tlic  Athenian  Assembly,  or  Roman  Forum, 
and  feeling  the  spirit  of  Liberty  burn  within  your  bosoms,  as 
you  caught  the  inspiration  from  the  veiy  altars  of  Antiquity, 


Hitlierio,  you  have  dwelt  togetlicr,  now  sitting  at  tho  feet  of 
Plato,  as  he  sublimely  unfolded  the  diviuiV' of  virtue,  or  hang- 
ing with  raptui*c  on  the  lyre  of  Pindar,  as  it  i.w.tiou  forth  tli» 
tide  of  01ym])ic  song  ;  and  wliile  you  thus  called  up  "  antiquity 
from  the  old  Schools  of  Greece,"  and  communed  with  the  spirits 
of  the  mighty  dead,  similarity  of  pursuits  naturally  engendered 
con-fraternity  of  feeling,  and  your  hearts  glowed,  and  still 
glow,  for  each  other,  with  all  tlic  ingenuous  warmth  of  youth- 
ful friendship.  But  the  period  of  separation  has  at  length  ar- 
rived, and  these  calm  and  delightful  scenes  must  soon  bo  ex- 
changed for  a  far  more  extensive  and  important  theatre.  The 
dreams  of  youth  arc  now  to  be  succeeded  by  the  realities  of 
njanhood.  On  this  day,  you  will  be  invested  with  the  toga 
virilis,  like  the  Roman  youth,  and  assume  your  places  amongst 
men,  and  prepare  for  action  on  the  stage  of  life.  On  this  day, 
the  implements  of  warfare  will  be  put  into  your  hands,  and, 
armed  with  a  shield  and  a  spear,  like  the  German  youth,  you 
will  go  forth  from  these  calm  retreats,  to  the  active  duties  and 
arduous  conflicts  that  await  you.  Farewell,  then,  to  the  green 
arbour,  and  the  sunny  fount.  Farewell  to  Pindus,  with  its 
laurel  shade,  and  the  enchanting  Hermus,  with  its  golden  stream. 
You  leave  the  Schools,  to  enter  on  the  world.  You  leave  your  • 
revered  Prccejjtors,  to  battle  for  yourselves.  You  leave  each 
other,  perhaps  forever,  to  become,  each  for  himself,  the  archi- 
tect of  the  fame  and  fortune,  whatever  they  may  be,  that  may 
stamp  the  complexion  of  your  future  lives! 

No  wonder,  then,  that  on  such  an  occasion,  such  an  assem- 
blugc  should  have  attended  the  ceremonies  connected  with  it. 
Who,  indeed,  can  be  indiflcrent  to  the  future  career  of  so  many 
interesting  and  talented  youth,  quitting  forever  these  green  soli- 
tudes and  classic  vales,  to  enter  on  the  vast  and  untried  ocean  of 
actual  life  ?  Here  you  are,  flushed  with  academical  distinction, 
buoyant  with  hope,  confident  of  success,  eager  to  enter  tho  lists 
with  men,  and  grasping,  in  anticipation,  the  laurel  wreath  of 
victory.  But  wbo  can  foretell  your  destiny  ?  Wlio  can  explore 
tiiat  mysterious  future,  v.hich  may  be  to  you  a  delightful  stream, 
with  fruits  and  flowers  on  its  banks,  or  a  dreary  dcsart,  w  ith  its 


burning  sands  nnd  blasting  breath  i*  Who  can  tell  how  many 
of  joa  may  become  ornaments  and  benefactors  of  sociot) ,  an«i 
descend  to  lliw  louib  **  full  of  years  and  full  of  honor" — and 
how  many,  diverted  like  Atalanta,  from  the  race  before  tlicm, 
may  become  the  victims  of  alluring  vice,  and  be  hurried  prema- 
turely to  dishonored  graves  ?  From  these  peaceful  and  seclu- 
ded walks,  you  see  nothing  but  tlic  ^'  calm  surface  of  a  sum- 
mer's sea,"  inviting  you  to  spiHjad  your  sails,  and  take  the 
auspicious  flood  that  leads  on  to  fortune.  You  see  nothing  but 
briglit  suns  and  unclouded  skies,  verdant  hills  and  luxuriant 
fields,  friends  to  assist,  and  admirers  to  applaud,  fortune  throw- 
ing her  treasures  in  your  laps,  and  fame,  with  her  richest  gar- 
lands in  her  hands,  ready  to  crov^n  your  victorious  brows! — 
Little  dream  you  of  the  dangerous  rocks  which  that  smiling 
sea  conceals  beneath  its  bosom,  or  of  the  sudden  and  desolating 
tempests  that  may  overwhelm  you  in  a  moment.  Little  know 
you  of  the  fearful  rapidity  with  which  the  clearest  sky  may  be 
overcast  with  clouds,  or  of  the  keen  and  cutting  frosts  by  which 
the  fairest  flower  may  be  withered.  Far  be  it  fix)m  me,  how- 
ever, to  repress  the  ardour  of  aspiring  youth.  Far  be  it  from 
me  to  inspire  you  with  suspicion,  or  chill  you  w  ith  fear.  I  say 
nothing,  therefore,  of  the  fickleness  of  friendship,  or  the  uncer- 
tainty of  fortune ;  nothing  of  the  smiles  of  hjprociisy  or  the  low 
intrigues  of  political  duplicity;  nothing  of  the  toils  and  sacri- 
fices by  wliich  popular  favor  is  acquired,  or  the  pitiful  trifles, 
and  not  less  frequently  the  meritorious  actions,  by  which  it  may 
be  lost.  But  I  feel  that  I  would  not  properly  discharge  tho 
office  so  kindly  conferred  upon  me,  if  I  did  not  warn  you,  that 
iu  blooming  bowers,  adders  and  scorpions  often  lie  concealed; 
that  the  sweetest  melody  may  be  a  Syren's  song  to  lure  you  to 
your  ruin;  that  the  most  luscious  fruits  are  often  those  that 
turn  to  ashes  in  the  taste;  and,  in  one  word,  that  the  voyage 
of  life  may  well  be  likened  to  Scylla  and  Charybdis,  which  he 
alone  can  navigate  successfully,  who  has  the  requisite  skill  ta 
avoid  rocks  upon  the  one  side,  and  whirlpools  on  the  other. 

As  you  will  soon  be  called  upon,  then,  to  act  for  yourselves, 
it  is  all  important  that  you  should  be  properly  qualified  to  dig- 


cljarge  the  duties,  and  surmount  the  difficulties,  that  await  yon, 
in  society.  It  is  by  no  means  my  intention,  however,  to  lectura 
you  upon  the  advantages  of  industry,  or  the  utility  of  virtue. 
That  ofiice  has  been  s})a}'cd  nic  by  the  wise  and  good  men,  to 
whom  were  confided  the  cultivation  of  your  intellect,  and  the 
moral  regulation  of  your  hearts.  There  is  no  field  of  scienco. 
they  have  not  taught  you  to  explore,  nor  piinciple  of  rectitude 
they  have  not  implanted  in  your  bosoms.  I  know,  moreover^ 
that  in  addressing  you,  I  sj)cak  to  gentlemen;  to  generous, 
ingenuous,  well-educated  youth,  whose  delicate  sensibilities! 
would  recoil  at  the  conception  of  an  act  of  turpitude,  and  feel 
even  the  suspicion  of  dislionor  as  they  would  tlie  o])pressioii 
of  a  mountain's  weight.  Seeing,  then,  that  your  hearts  are 
guarded,  as  I  trust  they  are,  by  the  instinctive  principles  of 
Ijonor,  refined  and  matured  by  virtuous  education,  it  is  useless 
to  trouble  you  with  a  dull  dissertation  on  integrity.  And  even 
were  it  otherwise,  it  would  still  be  useless.  The  honor  or 
lionesty  that  is  assumed  through  policy,  is  but  **  the  homage  of 
hypocrisy  to  virtue."  He  who  practices  the  semblance  of  these 
noble  qualities,  not  possessing  them  in  truth,  may  go  through 
life  escaping  censure,  but  can  neither  enjoy  the  feelings,  nop 
deserve  the  reputation,  of  an  upright  man! 

But  the  mere  possession  of  high  and  estimahle  principles 
signifies  but  little,  unless  they  are  employed  for  the  advantage 
of  society.  In  vain,  have  you  been  tauglit  to  discipline  your 
minds,  if  you  relax,  henceforward,  in  the  pursuit  of  knowledge. 
In  vain,  has  a  foundation  been  laid  for  your  future  eminence  and 
usefulness,  if  no  generous  ambition  prompt  you  to  erect  tijo 
superstructure.  It  is  not  sufficient  to  possess  good  principles, 
or  merely  to  refrain  from  the  perpetration  of  ignoble  deeds.-—^ 
No  dormant  quality  can  constitute  an  element  of  human  great- 
ness. Man  is  an  active  animal.  He  is  not  only  an  individual, 
but  a  member  of  society.  He  was  not  formed  to  dream  away 
his  life,  however  pure  or  innocent  it  may  be,  but  to  devote  the 
energies  of  his  mind,  and  the  virtues  of  his  heart,  to  the  disco^ 
very  and  advancement  of  the  public  good.  The  whole  institu- 
tion of  civil  society  is  but  a  system  of  reciprocal  dependencies. 


Inir.vidiials  dencnd  upon  society  for  pi'otcctiou  and  security ; 
and  society  (lepemls  on  its  com:)onei!t  parts  (or  its  own  stabiiity 
and  welfare.  Every  man,  tir-'i-efore,  has  duties  to  perform  ; 
and  precisely  to  tlie  extent  to  wliich  lie  does^jjerform  tli^m,  is 
!ic  virtuous  iiii(lco:uniead;ib!e  as  a  man,  or  useful  and  patriotic 
as  a  citizen. 

Tisc  importance  of  t.jjcr.c  distic:^,  moreover,  and  the  conse- 
quent obligativ);!  to  discliargc  them,  is  intimately  connected 
Nvitii  tlie  sjiirit  of  tlie  age,  and  tlse  general  condition  of  tlio 
C-Quntry,  in  Vvliidi  it  lias  been  your  fortujic  to  be  born.  Amongst 
a  rude  ami  uncultivated '^people,  duties  arc  few  and  sim[)k  hi 
tlieir  cliaractcr.  With  barbarians,  the  gi-eatest  savage  is  tha 
gieatest  man.  Witls  tise  superstitious,  the  most  secluded  an- 
chorite  is  tlic  holiest  Saint.  And  so,  during  the  dark  ages — 
that  singular  jjeriod  of  artiucial  manners  and  unreal  life — of 
tilts  and  tournaments — of  s|i!eiidid  pagcaiitry  and  sanguinary 
war — v/hen  every  jirinciple  of  society  was  perverted,  romantic 
passion  being  substituted  for  utility,  and  ^^  ihl  enthusiasm  for 
solid  virtue — during  all  that  period,  chivalry  embraced  all 
duties  iii  Uscir,  a  h.idy'.-i  smile  was  t'se  principle  of  honor,  the 
song  of  a  Troubadour  was  immoi'tal  fame,  and  the  human  niind 
boi'.ig  profoundly  locked  up  in  ignorance,  tlie  merest  gleam  of 
ii^.ai'uing  was  esteemed  a  prodigy.  But  not  so  now.  You  live 
neither  in  a  barbarous  age,  nor  yet  in  th;vt  crepuscular  con- 
dition of  society,  which  stands  in  tlie  same  position  between 
savageism  and  reiinement,  tliat  twiliglit  does  between  the  deep 
darkness  of  the  night,  aiid  t!ic  full  splendor  of  tlie  mid-day  sun. 
On  the  conti'ary,  you  live  in  an  age  preeminently  characterized 
by  iigiit  and  life:  and  as  it  is  important  that  you  should  under- 
stand its  .spirit,  that  you  may  appreciate  the  obligations  resting 
on  yourselves,  you  will  indulge  me  in  a  brief  cxaminatiou  of 
some  of  the  pi-omiueut  features  tliat  distinguish  it. 

In  the  first  phice,  then,  this  is  the  age  of  Scienee.  Antiquity 
had  but  little  science,  in  the  strict  significatioM  of  the  term  ; 
but,  in  cvei-y  department,  moral,  intellectual,  and  idiysical — ki 
every  thisig  rcliiting  to  mi;:d  or  matter — every  thing  that  can 
illustrate  tlie  geography  of  the  heavens  or  tho  earth— cvory 


10 

Tftrtig  that  can  reveal  the  secrets  of  nature,  or  IncreJisci  ttiB 
strength  of  nations,  or  contribute  to  the  security  and  elegancd 
of  life-^thc  ])resent  century  is  illuminated  with  a  flood  of  lisht. 
And,  as  it  is  the  peculiar  property  of  science  to  know  no  limit* 
so  even  its  present  elevation  may  justly  be  regarded  as  a  point 
from  which  it  will  continue,  w  itii  undazzlcd  eye  and  unwearied 
wing,  to  ascend  to  gieater  and  still  greater  heights.  JEach 
ndliiig  year  will  still  come  laden  with  improvements,  and  every 
step  in  the  march  of  mind,  will  either  devclope  some  new  and 
valuable  principle,  or  Increase  the  power  of  those  with  which 
W6  arc  acquainted,  by  applying  them  to  purposes  to  which  as 
yet  they  have  never  been  directed.  And  thus  every  known 
science  will  continue  to  advance,  and  new  ones  will  be  con* 
fitantly  added  to  their  train,  going  on  steadily  to  the  Ultima 
Thule  of  human  knowledge,  and  imparting,  as  they  go,  all  that 
is  essential,  in  every  department  of  society,  to  the  dignity  and 
happiness  of  the  human  race.  And  it  is  the  age  of  Elegant 
Literature  and  the  Arts.  It  is  true,  however,  respecting  this 
assumption,  that  Antiquity  may  I'isc  up,  and  dispute  the  palm. 
She  may  take  us  to  the  villa  of  Cicero,  or  the  tomb  of  Virgil. 
She  may  show  us  the  ruins  of  the  Coliseum  or  Partheon.  Sh6 
may  exhibit  the  agony  of  Laocoon,  struggling  with  the  Ser- 
pents, and  the  noble  self-sacrifice  of  Alcestis,  as  she  dooms 
herself  to  death  f  )r  the  preservation  of  her  husband.  And  sh6 
hiay  ask,  where  are  your  Polydorus  and  Euii])ides!  What 
liave  yo«,  superior  to  the  Venus  of  Apelles!  Who  has  yet 
touchied  the  lyre  with  the  plaintive  sweetness  of  Tibullus!— » 
"Where  is  the  invention  in  modern  architecture,  that  rivals  the 
luxuriant  elegance  of  the  Corinthian,  or  the  graceful  beauty  of 
the  Ionic  order!  And  above  all,  what  have  you,  in  cloquwice, 
Comparable  to  the  energy  of  that  soul  of  fire,  "  who  shook  the 
Arsenal,  and  fulmincd  over  Greece,  to  Macedon  and  Artax- 
ftrxes*  throne'*!  But  it  is  not  my  purpose  to  respond  to  these 
inquiries.  It  would  be  sacrifege  to  disturb  her  repose,  by 
|)lucking  a  leaf  from  the  laurel  that  adorns  her  tomb.  There 
is  no  classic  heart  who  would  not  that  it  should  bloom  forever 
t\  ith  unfading  freshness.   In  every  thing  susceptible  of  improve- 


H 

ment,  wc  have  left  her  f.u-  behind,  fin:l  it  ought  not  to  mortify 
us,  that,  ill  those  thiiigi  which  she  could,  and  therefore  did 
carry  to  perfection,  we  liavc  been  uiiabie  to  surjjass  her.  Scir 
ence  adn)its  of  endless  progression,  and  is  ther(?forc  constantly 
progressing.  B;it  imagination  may  fly  at  once  to  the  higliest 
heaven  of  invention,  and  as  this  was  eiTec{e;'i  by  ancient  poetry, 
I!.')  modern  wing  can  ascend  beyond  it.  This  is  tlie  diftcrenc* 
between  scic!u:e  and  literature,  as  contradistingnished  from 
each  other.  The  one  is  emphatically  t!»c  production  of  intel- 
lect, requiriiig  patient  research  and  profound  investigation. — » 
The  other  is  the  offspring  of  those  faculties  of  ti»e  mind,  wliich 
RIO  usually  employed  in  the  creations  of  fancy  or  dclineatioiiji 
of  nature,  in  pourtraying  character  or  exhibiting  the  passions 
of  the  human  heart.  Hence  the  vast  superiority  of  Euler  and 
La  Place  over  Ptolemy  and  Euclid,  or,  in  other  words,  of  ma-! 
dern  over  ancient  science,  while  Homer  still  remains  the  princo 
of  poets,  and  sculptors,  and  painters  still  take  tlieir  lessons 
from  the  great  models  of  antiquity.  But  even  admitting  t!i« 
claims  of  the  ancients,  and  to  the  fullest  extent  to  which  their 
warmest  admirers  consider  them  entitled  to  admission,  it  is 
still  demonstrable  that  the  present  age  not  only  far  surpasses  all 
that  have  preceded  it  in  the  number  and  variety  of  its  authoi'S 
Mid  its  artists,  but  will  bear  an  advantageous  comparison  with 
any  in  the  extent  of  their  learning,  the  originality  of  their 
genius,  and  the  sterling  merit  of  their  works.  In  proof  of  this 
assertion,  abundant  testimony  might  easily  be  adduced  from 
England,  France,  and  the  classic  soil  of  Italy.  But  as  my 
limits  will  not  perm'^J  me  to  dwell  upon  this  topic,  I  proceed  to 
remark,  in  the  next  place,  that  a  prominent  feature  of  the  prOf 
sent  age  is  the  general  diffusion  of  popular  intelligence.  Amongst 
the  ancients,  the  benefits  of  education  were  confined  to  few.—* 
The  Spartans  were  barbarians,  and  even  an  Atlienian  populace 
was  an  ignorant  mob.  Since  the  invention  of  the  art  of  printT 
ing,  however,  information  has  become  easy  and  pxcessiblc,  an^ 
in  every  Christian  country,  therefore,  the  people  have  received 
an  extraordinary  degree  of  moral  and  mental  cultivation.  Of 
late  years,  particularly,  the  attention  of  patriots  i^nd  philan^ 


tliropists  lias  Lccn  powerfully  direclci  (o  tlie  great  object  of 
popular  education.  Knowledge  is  now  carried  to  the  liumble 
tlwellijig  of  the  i)oor,  as  well  as  to  tlic  splendid  mansion  of  tlio 
i'icli.  Like  tliS  sun,  it  diffu.^cs  its  light  indiscrimiiiatcly  ujion 
^V>,  and  till,  in  consequence,  have  hrcomc  enlightened.  But  a 
still  more  con.sjjicuous  fcatui'c  of  the  pi'cscnt  age,  is  the  uupre" 
ccdeiited  extent  to  which  the  dor.vnion  of  man  over  physical  vnture 
has  been  carried.  I'liis  is  truly  tho  era  of  steamboats  and  rail- 
"tvays,  of  canals  and  tunnels.  The  pvoi)hecy  of  Barxcin  ban 
been  more  ihan  realized.  Wail  ?i\n\  Fulton  have  subdued  t!ic 
ricments.  Unconquerod  steam  not  only  rides,,  like  a  sGa-god, 
on  the  bosom  of  the  ocean,  but  moves  wiib  resistless  power  TiwA 
rapidity  over  every  obstacle  on  land.  And  who  can  prcscribo 
n  limit  to  its  conquests  ?  Who  can  designate  the  barrier  that 
it  shall  not  pass",  or  name  the  river  or  the  ^^  ilderness,  however 
desolate  and  solitary  now,  that  it  shall  not^cause  to  roll  down 
gold,  c.v  blossom  as  tiic  rose  ?  And  it  is  the  epoch  nf  exploration 
ami  discovcnj.  Governments  arc  laudably  vieing  with  each 
other  in  the  cause  of  scieiicc. '  New  accc^;sio;is  arc  constaniiy 
making  to  the  stores  of  kaov.iodge.  The  sjdrit  of  adventure 
examines  la;;d  and  sea,  the  Niger  and  Columbia,  the  Pacific 
Ocean  and  the  American  m  ilderness,  and  while  it  daily  dis- 
closes new  wondci's  of  iiaturc,  and  new  mines  of  knowledge,  it 
filso  lays  open  new  avenues  of  commerce,  and  new  and  exten- 
fiivc  sources  of  national  jtro^pcrity.  But  while  nations  ar(^  thu3~ 
engaged  in  exploring  and  subduii-.g  physical  nature  and  itscle- 
uncnts,  they  have  not  forgotten  to  investigate  and  establish  the 
])rinciplos  of  government  and  the  rights  of  man,  Tiiis  is  pecu- 
liarly the  age  of  civil  avd  religious  libcrlif.  'The  ancients  liad 
lioihing  tliat  deserved  the  nasne.  Gi-ecian  li!)crty  was  alwa}3 
wild  and  tumultuous,  and  the  Romans  knew  no  medium  between 
liccntiousr.css  and  servitude.  Tiicse  great  principles  oi-iginated 
in  the  era  of  the  Reformation,  v.hen  Luther  and  Zuingie,  and 
t!ic"r  bold  coadjutors,  broke  tiie  chain  of  ecclesiastical  ojiprcs- 
sioM,  and  proclaimed  freedom  of  conscicjjcc  to  a  captive  world.'- 
From  that  j)criod  they  have  gone  on  regularly,  '' conquei-ing 
i\ni\  to  conquer."      They  shone  triumpliasitly  in  England,  h\ 


the  memorable  Revolution  of  1 G33,  liiid  {\\?y  gave  t!io.  impulse  to 
nuv  Revolutionary  \vf\i',  and  laid  the  foundation  of  the  Ameri- 
can CoiiBtittition.  An.d  tLe  triumph  of  Liberty  here,  a\val;onpd 
the  enthusiasm  of  tlic  gallant  Fi-en(l<.  But,  unfortunately, 
tliey  knew  lint  little  of  regulated  fi'cciIo;ii.  and  tiicir  I'cvolntlon, 
tliercrore.  instead  of  ending,  like  onrs,  in  the  success  of  the 
principles  in  wliich  it  had  its  origin,  terminated  iii  <!ie  cstab- 
li>,liment  of  a  military  desp  )tism.  Since  then,  Imwevcr,  the 
Catiiolics  of  Irclaml  have  achieved  t'.ieir  cmancipatioii,  and 
English  Dissenters  have  been  admitted  to  the  full  enjc>ymont  of 
their  birtiiriglit.  Mar.  no  longer  (Un'cs  to  legislate  f.)r  liea- 
\e.n,  or  to  regulate  conscience  by  jsenal  laws.  In  many  other 
j)oirits,  too,  imi)ortant  advances  have  been  made  in  ciilarging 
the  freedom  of  the  British  Cor.slitnlion.  A  very  numerous 
poi  ;:^fi  ot"  tiic  jieaplo,  formerly  denied  all  participation  in  the 
fitriilis  of  gover!in5C)>t,  arc  now  entitletl  to  t!ic  exercise  of  the 
elective  franciiisc,  and  the  period  is  rapidly  approaching  ^^]^cn 
the  odious  pi-incip.le,  that  one  denomin:itio!i  of  religionists  slial! 
be  couijielled  to  sustain  another,  will  be  finally  abolished.  Ta 
Fi-ancc-  all  coiriicction  bctv>een  Church  and  State  has  been  dis- 
solved, and  in  consonrjn:c  with  tlio  s])iiil;  of  the  glorious  Revo- 
lution of '31,  a  Republican  system  has  been  engrafted  on  its 
jnonarch}'.  Thei'c  is,  indeed,  every  where,  a  constant  contest 
b'.tween.  fi-eedom  and  oppres.fion.  Even  in  old  S])ain,  the  spirit 
of  liberty  heaves  and  tliroes,  though  Pelion  lias  becii  jiiled  upon 
Ossa  to  crush  it  to  the  carlh  ;  and  at  tliis  xcvy  moment,  it  nerves 
Hie  arrns,  and  animates  the  hc;vrts  cf  a  gallant  band  in  a  neigh- 
bouring territory,  who,  with  the  true  nobleness  of  tlie  Anglo  ■ 
Saxon  blood,  have  firmly  resolved  to  achieve  their  indepen- 
dence, or  to  pei'ish  in  the  cA'oit.  An.d  may  wc  not  hope  that 
they  will  succeed !  While  wc  weep  over  the  scene  of  the  Alamo, 
may  we  not  rejoice  at  the  brilliant  victory  of  San  Jacinto,  and 
the  consequent  cajiturc  of  a  tyrant  v.hosc  (lcc{]:i  of  blood  have 
disgraced  hnmariify!  And  may  we  not  trust  that  the  period  js 
r.ear  at  l;and,  when  the  people  of  Texas  shall  indeed  be  onr 
brv_nhren,and  when  Use  clioriis  qf  fixcdom  shall  revoibei-ate  ham 
the  iiudso-.j  to  the  Sabitje,  and  from  the  banks  of  tiic  Coiorada 


H 

to  t1»e  heights  of  Bunker!  But,  again,  this  is  the  age  of  liberal 
principles  and  free  enquiry.  The  liiiman  niiiui  is  no  longer 
chained  down  by  despotism,  nor  locked  up  in  darkness.  Anti- 
quity is  no  longer  t!ic  shield  of  error,  nor  dogmatic  authoi'ity 
the  evidence  of  argument.  Notiiing  now  can  stand,  that  is  not 
sustained  by  truth  and  reason.  Every  system  is  subjected  to 
the  severest  sci'utiny,  and  the  consequence  is,  that  while  every 
valuable  principle  is  sti-engthened,  and  cvei-y  good  system  re- 
fined and  jiurificd,  by  the  ordeal  of  discussion,  all  pernicious 
ftnd  untenable  doctrines  arc  tottering  and  falling,  and  new  and 
better  ones  erected  on  tlieir  ruins.  And,  ''  though  last,  not 
least,"  it  is  the  age  of  active  piety  and  enlarged  benevolence."- 
After  whole  centuries  of  apathy,  the  Cijristian  Ciiurch  has  at 
length  awakened  to  the  full  performance  of  its  duty.  It  has 
undertaken  the  great  entci'prise  of  the  conversion  of  the  world, 
and  organized  a  system  of  moral  machinej'y  admirably  adapted 
to  the  purpose.  And  its  success  has  been  commensurate  with 
the  godlike  principle  upon  which  it  acts.  It  has  established 
thousands  of  nurseries,  in  which  myriads  of  children  reccivq 
the  bcjiefits  of  religious  education.  It  has  revolutionized  so- 
ciety by  the  great  engine  of  t!»c  Temperance  Reform.  It  has 
placed  heralds  of  salvation  on  Moslem  minarets  and  on  Pagan 
walls.  It  has  kindled  the  light  of  Revelation  in  Al]iinc  soli- 
tudes, and  on  Himalayan  heights.  It  has  planted  the  standard 
»f  the  Cross  on  the  banks  of  the  Ganges,  and  jn  the  Isles  of 
Polynesia.  In  one  word,  it  has  brought  on  tlje  dawn  of  tho 
icillcnnial  day ;  and  it  will  go  on  prosperously,  like  an  army 
with  banners,  invading  kingdoms  and  subduing  nations,  *till 
•the  pure  spirit  of  Christianity  shall  spread;  like  a  sea  of  glory, 
over  a  reformed  and  evangelized  world! 

Such  is  the  age  in  which  you  live!  And  here  permit  mc  to 
remark,  that  even  in  such  an  age,  and  amongst  the  most  distin- 
guished nations,  our  owmi  country  occupies  a  high  and  enviable 
rank.  Toung  as  it  is,  its  population  has  increased  already 
from  three  to  fifteen  millions,  and  its  flag  is  emblazoned  with 
nearly  double  the  number  of  its  original  stars.  Already  can  it 
boast  of  Appir.n  and  Flaminian  ways,  of  columns  as  towering 


as  that  of  Trajan,  of  canals  surpassing  tlios€  of  Langiicdoc  and 
Ellismere,  anil  of  an  extent  of  rail-ways  not  only  exceeding 
any  that  is  known  to  exist  in  any  portion  of  tlic  globe,  but  to 
Whicli  will  soon  be  added  what  w^iil  well  desei-ve  to  be  consid-- 
crcd  one  of  tlie  wonders  of  the  world,  in  the  completion  of  tliat 
magnificent  enlerprize  which  is  tolmitc  tlie  Atlantic  Avith  tho 
Valley  of  tlie  Mississippi,  and  wliich  will  constitute  equally  a 
mine  of  wealtli,  a  bond  of  brotlicrhood,  and  a  golden  ciiain  of 
union.  But  it  is  not  only  in  the  developement  of  its  physical 
resources,  that  this  young  Republic  moves  on  rapidly  to  great- 
ness and  distinction.  As  knowledge  is  the  handmaid  of  free- 
dom, so  is  freed(mi  the  patron  of  useful  knowledge.  Our  peo- 
ple well  know  that  without  public  virtue  and  inteHigcnce,  there 
is  no  security  for  the  permanency  of  our  Republican  Institution^, 
and. therefore  no  eflTort  has  been  omitted  to  advance  the  great 
cause  of  popular  enlightenment.  In  consequence  of  this,  we 
not  only  have  a  large  number  of  scientific  and  ingenious  men, 
to  whom  we  are  constantly  indebted  for  important  improve* 
ments  and  discoveries,  but  it  is  not  extravagant  to  assert  that 
the  great  body  of  Americati  people  are  b^jyond  all  comparison 
more  intelligent  and  better  educated,  than  any  other  upon  earth. 
Indeed,  under  the  beneficent  influence  of  our  admirable  gov- 
ernment, which  prohibits  the  slightest  infringement  of  the  frcc- 
alom  of  speech  or  of  the  press,  the  American  mind  may  literally 
be  said  to  revel  in  the  enjoyment  of  its  privileges  and  its  pow- 
ers. Nothing  can  elude  its  search,  or  escape  its  grasp.  It 
cleaves  the  skies,  and  penetrates  the  earth.  It  chains  the  winds 
and  the  waves,  and  subjects  the  elements  to  its  stern  dominion. 
Our  country,  moreover,  is  admirably  rich  in  all  the  materials 
of  a  national  literature.  It  is  true,  it  may  be  deficient  in  those 
things  that  form  the  peculiar  charm  of  the  ancient  classics, 
and  are  supposed  to  constitute  tlie  elements  of  classical  inter- 
est and  beauty.  We  have  no  fabulous  origin  ;  no  romantic  his- 
tory;  nothing  preternatural  in  tiio  wisdom  of  our  sages,  or  the 
valour  of  our  heroes.  AVc  have  no  Jupiter,  shaking  Olympus 
with  his  awful  nod  ;  no  JS'eptune,  ruling  tlje  ocean  witii  his  trU 
ilcnt.     Wc  have  no  Naiads  or  Dryads;  no  Delphic  Oracle,  or 


IS 

JEgciiaii  G^o^  e,  Wi'  have  no  P.ictolns,  rolling  down  gold  >  ii« 
iTi()Ui(!efi:!g  ruins,  or  propljctic  sti'cirsris;  noi-  any  of  tliosc  ven- 
cri'.bie,  cousccfiitcd  scenes,  u:>.  which  the  genius  of  pocti-y  de- 
lights t-f»  dwell,  and  from  wliich  it  is  supposed  to  derive  its 
choicest  inspiration.  And  so  agaisi,  we  have  no  Feudal  Insti- 
tutions;  no  acje  of  chivali-j,  with  its  liigli-wrought  pi'iiiciplei3 
and  fantastic  laws  ;  no  crusades  to  recover  Jerusalem  from  tho 
power  of  the  Infidels;  nor  hiivo  we  gnomes,  or  syiplis,  or  other 
creations  of  the  fairy  ti'ihe.  But  why  should  an  American 
need  Apollo  or  the  Muses,  w!icu  he  has  the  spii-it  of  liherty  to 
iuspii'e  iiis  song,  and  his  own  glorious  country  to  afford  a  theme? 
Yf'hy  should  he  sigii  for  the  Arno  on  tiie  Avon,  -for  Parnassus 
01-  Hymcttus,  wlien  he  has,  in  every  thing  around  him — in  tho 
character  of  our  govei'Timent,  in  our  towering  moiMitains  and 
majestic  streams,  in  the,enter]>rising  spirit  of  our  peoj)le,  in 
the  elo;|t!cnce  of  our  oi'ators^  and  the  wisdom  of  our  statesmen, 
in  cities  sjuinging  up,  and  forests  disa])pearlng,  as  if  more  by 
magic  tlian  tlie  art  of  man,  and  partici'.liirly  in  the  literary, 
besievolrnt  and  religious  institutions  that  ador.'i  our  country, 
as  thickly  and  heiiiitiiully  as  the  stars  of  the  firmament — wheji 
li.e  has  in  tlicse  things,  all  the  elements  of  natural  and  moral 
snblinjily  and  beauty,  every  thing  tliat  can  cIcn  ate  the  imagi- 
Ratio!),  or  reunc  the  taste?  Assuredly,  American  history  and 
scenery,  American  cliaracier  and  actiojis,  comprise  an  amj*io 
and  appropriate  Held  for  the  exercise  of  American  talent. — 
Kature  has  not  only  formed  our  country  on  the  grande.st  scale, 
but  it  is  irdiabitcd  by  a  })ei>plc  who  exhibit^  ii\  all  their  m;)dc3 
of  th(;i!gnt  and  pririciplcs  of  actioji,  a  beautiful  moral  resem- 
blance to  tlie  dignity  and  boldness  of  tlie  natural  scenery  around 
then).  Ilej'C,  then,  are  subjects  of  reflection,  and  sources  of 
inspiration,  new,  copious  and  inviting,  and  such  as  no  oilier 
couiitry  can  afford. .  Here  arc  gardens  in  which  genius  may 
revel,  princiiiles  on  which  j)hilns<)phy  may  speculate,  events 
an-.!  ciiaracters  on  which  Vaq  muse  of  history  may  delight  to 
linger.  And  we  fmi],  accordingly,  that  American  gcMiius  has 
essayed  tiiis  ne'>,v  field  of  fame,  and  is  daily  producing  fi'om  it 
ari  abundant  sujiply  of  t!ie  p;ircst  ore.     It  is  no  longer  rpies- 


17 

tionable  wlietlicr  we  sliall  have  a  Jiteratiirc  of  our  own,  nop 
what  will  be  its  rank  in  the  republic  of  letters.  Even  now, 
iij  every  department  of  learning  and  the  arts,  our  country  com- 
mands tlie  respect  and  admiration  of  tbe  world.  Our  rivers 
roll  in  song,  our  lilHs  are  vocal  with  the  music  of  the  lyre,  and 
even  tlie  prairie  has  assumed  an  interest  scarcely  inferior  to 
any  that  !ias  ever  been  imparted  to  tlie  ocean.  Painting  vies 
witli  history,  and  sculpture  witli  poetry,  in  embalming  the  mem- 
ory of  illustrious  deeds,  and  presenting  the  image  of  illustrious 
men.  And  if  such  is  our  country  now,  so  young,  and  yet  so  emi- 
nent, who  caniiot  foretell  the  splendor  of  its  future  destiny !  ^Yho 
cannot  see,  that  '^  as  the  Sun, when  he  springs  from  the  chambers 
of  the  East,  goes  on  his  course,  rojoicing  in  his  streiigth,"  so 
this  great  Republic  is  proceeding,  with  gigantic  strides,  in  its 
liigli  career  of  honor  and  distinction!  Yes,  as  surely  as  the 
Alleghany  lifts  its  head  on  high,  or  the  beautiful  Ohio  glitters 
in  tiie  sunbeams,  with  a  world  of  wealth  upon  its  bosom,  so 
surely  is  the  period  rapidly  approaching,  when  our  present 
population  will  be  augmented  fourfold,  and  w  hen  the  star  span- 
gled banner  will  wave  in  triumph,  from  the  Atlantic  to  tha 
Pacific,  over  an  imperial  Republic,  great  in  arts  and  renowned 
in  arms,  and  rivalling,  if  not  transcending,  the  splendour  of 
the  Augustan  ages  of  France  and  England! 

Such  is  the  period  in  which  your  lots  have  been  cast,  and 
such  the  theatre  in  which  you  will  soon  be  called  upon  to  bear 
your  parts. 

Let  me,  then,  earnestly  impress  upon  you,  as  a  duty  to  your- 
selves, the  continued  culiivaiion  of  your  minds.  Recollect  tbat 
your  education  is  iu)t  only  not  completed,  but  may  in  truth  bo 
said  to  be  just  begun.  An  excellent  foundation  has  indeed 
been  laid,  upon  which,  with  adequate  exertion,  you  may  erect 
the  edifice  of  your  future  fame:  but  as  no  foundation,  however 
excellent  in  itself,  can  be  of  any  actual  utility,  unless  the  su- 
perstructure be  added  of  whiclx  it  is  intended  as  the  basis,  so 
all  the  instruction  you  have  here  received,  important  as  it  may 
be,  when  considered  as  the  substratum  of  a  more  elevated 
scheme  to  be  carried  on  hereafter,  will  not  only  be  of  no  praC'^ 

C 


tical  advantage  to  yourselves  or  to  society,  but  will  literally 
be  lost  and  forgotten,  and  in  a  shorter  pei'iod,  too,  tbr^a  was 
necessary  to  obtain  it,  unless  it  be  made  the  ground-work  of 
future  and  more  extensive  acquisitions,  or,  in  other  words,  un- 
less you  determine  to  be  more  systematic  and  sedulous  than 
ever  in  the  pursuit  of  knowledge.  Neglect  nothing,  tlien,  that 
you  have  been  taught  in  College.  Learning  w^is  not  imparted 
here,  to  be  thrown  away  hereafter.  He  who  is  content  with 
obscurity,  may  disdain  to  labor;  but  as  fame  can  only  be  pur- 
chased by  incessant  toil,  so  he  who  would  be  eminent  must  al- 
ways be  industrious.  There  is  no  limit  ti>  hncwledge,  and 
there  can  be  none,  of  course,  to  intellectual  improvement,  and 
consequently  none  to  the  necessity  of  study.  Follow  up,  then, 
every  branch  of  science,  and  every  department  of  elegant  lite- 
rature. The  more  you  acquire,  the  higher  you  will  rise;  and 
while  every  accession  of  knowledge  will  increase  your  fame, 
the  love  of  fame,  by  a  natural  re-action,  will  stimulate  your 
thirst  for  knowledge,  and  thus,  at  every  step  you  take,  yoii 
will  be  constantly  enlarging  the  sphere  of  your  influence,  and 
the  sources  of  your  happiness.  And  here,  in  connection  with 
intellect,  permit  me  to  suggest  the  necessity  of  Eloquence.  His- 
tory abounds  with  illustrations  of  the  resistless  power  of  this 
admirable  art.  Amongst  the  Republics  of  antiquity,  he  who  was 
most  successful  in  appealing  to  the  jjassions,  or  enkindling  the 
sensibilities  of  the  multitude,  may  literally  be  said  to  have  di- 
rected the  movements  and  controlled  the  destiny  of  his  coun- 
try, during  the  period  of  his  oratorical  ascendancy.  It  was 
the  voice  of  Demosthenes,  and  that  alone,  that  united  all  Greece 
against  the  ambitious  views  of  Pliilip;  and  in  Rome,  even  at  a 
period  of  great  popular  corruption,  the  eloquence  of  Cicero 
defeated  the  conspiracy  of  Cataline,  and  compelled  the  profli- 
gate and  rapacious  Verres  to  resort  to  exile  for  the  preserva- 
tion  of  his  life.  England  has  no  prouder  name  tlian  that  of 
Pitt,  and,  to  say  nothing  of  tiic  Massillons  and  Mirabcaus  of 
France,  even  unhappy  Ireland,  amid  all  her  sufferings,  smiled 
through  her  tears,  and  shone  through  her  grief,  with  the  re- 
splendent triumphs  of  her  Floods  and  Grattans.     In  no  caun- 


n 

tiy,  however,  is  eloquence  more  powerful,  or  of  more  impor- 
tance, tlian  in  our  own  liappy  land.  But,  as  knowledge  is 
power,  so  the  essence  of  eloquence  is  sense.  To  be  an  accom- 
plished orator,  much  more  is  requisite  than  an  artificial  modu- 
lation of  the  voice,  or  an  affected  display  of  personal  grace,  or 
a  tumultuous  outpouring  of  impassioned  vehemence.  Unfor- 
tunately, caricatures  of  this  kind  arc  sometimes  mistaken  for 
genuine  eloquence,  and  speeches  ai-e  applauded,  as  splendid 
specimens  of  sterling  oratory,  whose  sole  merit  consists  in  idle 
declamation,  or  a  skilful  application  of  vulgar  arts  to  the  pas- 
eioiis  and  prejudices  of  tlic  populace.  But,  the  ranting  of  a 
demagogue,  liowever  it  may  succeed  for  the  moment,  confers 
110  solid  and  enduring  fame.  Any  demagogue  may  acquire 
evanescent  notoriety,  but  true  fame  can  only  be  attained  by 
sterling  merit,  and  sterling  eloquence  requires  the  combinaiioti 
of  a  high  order  of  intellect  and  eloquence,  with  the  most  pure 
and  elevated  virtue.  Eloquence  is  powerless,  unless  supplied 
by  intellect;  nor  can  virtue  exert  its  proper  influence,  unless 
enlightened  by  knowledge  and  enforced  by  eloquence.  And  as 
eloquence  is  notliing  without  intellect,  and  dangerous  without 
virtue,  so  intellect  without  eloquence,  loses  half  its  power,  and, 
destitute  of  virtue,  can  scarcely  fail  to  be  a  curse,  both  to  its 
possessor  and  society.  The  combination  of  these  qualities 
forms  the  character  of  the  accomj)lished  Orator,  and  may  be 
said  to  constitute  the  perfection  of  humanity.  Strive,  then 
to  attain  this  perfection.  Image  to  yourselves  a  standard  of 
excellence,  embodying  all  that  is  noble  in  intellect,  and  per- 
suasive in  oratory,  and  pure  in  virtue,  and  follow  it,  as  your  po- 
lar star,  with  a  fixed  determination  to  realize  all  that  is  possible 
of  tlie  splendid  combination,  in  your  own  characters  respect- 
ively. Continue  to  penetrate  the  arcana  of  the  human  mind, 
to  range  amongst  the  stars,  and  to  explore  the  recesses  of  the 
Ocean  and  the  Earth.  Make  yourselves  thoroughly  acquaint- 
ed with  the  most  approved  systems  of  moral  and  political  sci- 
ence, and  particularly  with  the  principles  of  political  economy. 
But  whilst,  by  this  process,  you  enlarge  your  minds  with  valu- 
able knowledge,  you  sJwuld  by  no  means  abandon  your  devotion 


2? 

h  the  Classics.  The  mind,  like  the  body,  not  onlj  requires 
strengtli  for  usefulness,  but  decoration  for  effect.  The  massivo 
pillars  of  a  temple,  however  efficient  without  adornment,  be- 
come objects  of  admiration  to  the  tasteful  eye,  when  they  dis- 
play the  ricliness  of  Corinthian  capitals,  or  are  beautifully 
fluted  with  Ionic  art.  Continue,  then,  to  drink  deeper  and 
deeper  of  the  Pierian  Spring.  The  study  of  the  Classics 
not  only  disciplines  the  mlu.l.  but  it  supjdics  tliC  orator  v. ith 
imagery,  and  the  rc.isoncr  with  iliuslralion.  He  may  be  a 
good  lawyer,  who  knows  notiiing  but  law,  or  a  good  physician, 
who  knows  nothing  but  medicine;  but  no  man  can  be  accom- 
plished, in  any  liberal  profession,  who  cannot  command  exten- 
sive resources  in  literature.  Repudiate  the  new-fangled  doc- 
trine, that  the  Ancient  Languages  are  dead,  and  should  therefore 
be  discarded.  They  are  not  only  not  dead,  but  will  live  until 
ancient  literature  shall  be  buried  in  oblivion:  and,  however 
conversant  a  scholar  may  be  with  modern  literature,  yet  he, 
who  neglects  the  ancients,  does  great  injustice  to  himself,  be- 
cause it  is  unquestionable  that  almost  all  that  is  sublime  in 
conception,  or  beautiful  in  description,  or  exquisite  in  pathos, 
amongst  the  moderns,  may  be  traced,  and  not  unfrequeiitly, 
witii  the  most  palpable  distinctness,  to  the  liallowed  fountains 
of  antiquity.  But,  not  to  stray  further  in  this  seductive  field, 
allow  me  to  recommend  the  advantages  of  History.  "Were  it 
only  a  barren  chronicle  of  the  births  and  deaths  of  monarchs, 
who  were  born,  no  one  knows  when,  and  died,  no  one  cares 
how;  or  did  it  only  record  the  revolting  details  of  all  the  cru- 
elties, and  massacres,  and  wars,  by  which  humanity  has  been 
disgraced  and  afflicted,  in  every  country,  and  in  cvevy  age;  no 
one  will  dispute,  that  the  time  would  be  idly  occupied,  that 
might  be  devoted  to  its  study.  But  it  has  far  higher  ends  and 
purposes  than  these.  If  it  tells  of  trifles  not  worth  knowing, 
it  also  narrates  events,  and  describes  characters  and  actions, 
whicli  will  live  forever  in  the  memory  of  man,  and  which  even 
now  exercise  an  influence  over  tiie  destinies  of  nations.  Here 
you  may  trace  the  origin,  progress,  and  decline  of  empires,  and 
comprehend  the  secret,  and  often  insignificant  sources,  of  the 


«1 

mightiest  results.  Here  you  may  see  how  often  the  fortunes 
of  individuals  have  been  identified  with  tlic  fate  of  nations,  how 
often  ambition  Iris  assumed  the  garb  of  patriotism,  and  an  af- 
fected devotion  to  the  people  covered  the  deepest  and  darkest 
designs  against  their  riglits  and  liberties.  Here  you  may  sco 
how  a  free  people  arc  always  corrupted  before  they  are  en- 
slaved, and  how  surely  popular  corrupiLn  lays  th'^;  corner 
tttone  of  tyranny.  Here  you  may  sec  that  the  fuir.i;;  .  f  freedom 
are  oHen  retaiiicil  r.ficr  tlic  .:pirit  has  departed,  and  that  the 
"unreal  mockery"  of  popuhir  institutions  may  still  be  exhib- 
ited, like  '"a  whited  sepulchre  full  of  dead  mens'  boues,"  after 
the  people  themselves  have  been  deprived  of  ail  actual  partici- 
pation in  the  administration  of  alfiiirs.  And  here  you  may 
learn  the  prodigious  iiijlaence  of  moral  causes  upon  the  destiny  of 
nations.  History  is  full  of  instruction  upon  this  important 
subject.  The  same  physical  causes  still  exist  in  Rome,  that 
did  exist  in  the  period  of  her  greatest  glory  and  prosperity. — 
Tiie  sky  of  Italy  is  as  beautiful  as  it  was  when  the  people  se- 
ceded to  the  Sacred  Mount;  Tiber  still  rolls  his  stream  as  in 
the  days  of  the  Scipios,  and  tiie  Seven  Hills  retain  their  |)laces 
as  firmly  and  immovably  as  when  the  dignity  and  vii'tueof  the 
Roman  Senate  appeared  as  firm  and  imperishable  as  themselves: 
but  a  modern  Italian  can  neitlier  conceive  the  elevated  priiici- 
ples  and  heroic  spirit  that  formed  the  characters,  and  fired  the 
bosoms,  of  the  ancient  Romans,  nor  even  realize  his  own  de- 
scent from  such  a  noble  ancestry.  Tiie  same  physical  causes 
still  exist  in  Greece,  that  were  in  existence  theie,  when  the 
Persians  were  repulsed  at  the  Straits  of  Thermopylte,  or  when 
Miltiades  achieved  the  memorable  victory  of  Marathon;  but 
Grecian  glory  has  long  been  buried  in  the  grave,  and  the 
brutal  Turk,  as  he  treads  in  disdain  upon  the  tomb  of  Phocion, 
knows  no  classic  sympathy  for  the  departed  grandeur  of  the 
great  mother  country  of  Republics — the  honm-cd  parent  of  free- 
dom, and  science,  and  the  arts.  It  is  evident,  then,  that  phy- 
sical causes  cannot  perpetuate  national  power  or  prosperity. 
They  may  sujjply  the  means  of  preserving  liberty,  where  the 
spirit  of  liberty  burns ;  but  they  cannot  supply  its  place,  where 


the  spirit  is  extinct.  No:  as  surely  as  effects  result  from 
causes,  popular  degeneracy  is  the  invariable  precursor  of  po- 
litical enslavement.  As  tlie  ancient  Republics  fell,  in  the 
hciglit  of  tlicir  magnificence,  and  from  the  very  rottenness  of 
luxury,  such  must  inevitably  be  the  fate  of  ours,  whenever  the 
canker  of  corruption  shall  have  infected  the  vitals  of  the  body 
politic.  Vain,  then,  will  be  all  the  pliysical  advantages  tliat 
nature  has  conferred,  or  that  ingenuity  can  devise.  In  vain 
may  we  boast  of  our  extended  empire,  or  of  our  great  and 
growing  population,  or  of  the  variety  of  our  soil  and  products, 
or  of  our  unbounded  commerce  and  tlourishing  manuiacturcs, 
or  of  any  other  clement  tliat  enters  into  the  composition  of 
national  wealth  and  strength!  It  will  all  be  in  vain.  No 
vastness  of  territory  or  of  numbers,  no  agriculture  or  manufac- 
tures, no  arts  of  elegance  and  luxury,  no  rail-roads  or  canals, 
no  marble  statutes  or  monumental  columns,  can  preserve  our 
Republican  Institutions  in  purity  and  vigour,  whenever  the 
people  shall  be  ignorant  or  careless  of  t!ie  riglits  they  were 
intended  to  secure,  or  shall  become  so  thoroughly  debased  as 
to  care  less  about  their  loss,  than  the  trouble  or  danger  of  pre- 
serving them.  And,  on  the  other  hand,  history  will  also  show 
you  that  civilization  always  conquer^  savagisra,  that  mind  al- 
ways conquers  matter,  and  that  a  free  and  enliglitencd  people, 
knowing  their  rights  and  daring  to  maintain  them,  will  always 
succeed  in  any  contest  with  any  enemy,  however  superior  in 
mere  physical  capacity.  And  a!I  this  will  impress  the  necessity 
of  promothig  popular  educntioH,  without  which  there  can  be  no 
])ub!ic  spirit  or  love  of  country ;  or,  in  other  words,  it  will 
teacli  you  to  devote  all  your  energies  to  the  improvement  and 
extension  of  those  moral  elements  which  constitute  the  very 
life-blood  of  fi-eedom,  and  upon  which  all  our  hopes  depend  of 
the  preservation  and  transmission,  in  their  original  strength 
and  pristine  beauty,  of  those  sacred  and  inestimable  principles 
upon  which  our  Government  was  founded.  It  will  show  you 
how  detestable  tyranny  is,  and  teach  you,  like  Hannibal,  to 
vow  eternal  enmity  against  it.  It  will  show  you  how  hardly 
freedom  is  acquired,  and  how  easily  lost,  and  teach  you  to  cher- 


ish  it  with  vestal  fervor  and  fidelity.  It  will  sliow  you  how 
little  dependancc  can  he  jilaced  on  the  public  virtue  of  a  pri- 
vate profligate,  and  that  public  agents  should  be  judged  by 
their  acts  rather  than  jjrofcssions.  It  will  show  you  how  ma- 
ny nations  have  struggled  for  fi-ecdom,  and  been  unable  to  ob- 
tain it ;  how  many  have  ac(iiiircd,  and  been  unable  to  retain  it. 
And  it  will  introduce  you  to  the  wise  and  good.  It  will  make 
you  acquainted  with  cvei'y  system,  and  with  exevy  sect.  It 
w  ill  imbue  you  with  the  rich  spirit  of  philosophy  and  rhetoric. 
It  \^  ill  show  you  virtue  in  its  loveliest  forms,  and  vice  in  its 
most  hideous  deformity.  It  will  show  you  patriotism  in  all  its 
purity,  and  treason  in  all  its  blackness.  And  there,  too,  you 
may  learn  the  instability  of  fortune,  the  versatility  of  popular 
opinion,  and  the  essential  nothingness  of  all  the  world  calls 
great.  There  you  may  see  Aristides  banished,  because  he  was 
called  "  the  Just,*'  and  a  monument  erected  to  Socrates  by  those 
who  condemned  him  to  drink  the  hemlock.  There  you  may 
sec  Bclisariiis,  now  commanding  a  victorious  army,  and  now 
dependant  upon  common  charity,  and  Marius,  the  coufjueror 
of  the  Cimbri,  and  often  invested  with  the  dignity  of  Consul, 
sitting,  an  exile,  on  the  ruins  of  Carthage.  There  you  may 
s<?e  Napoleon,  now  disposing  of  Crowns  and  Kingdoms  at  his 

pleasure,  now  dying,  a  wretched  captive,  on  an  ocean  rock 

And  there  too,  you  may  behold  our  own  Washington,  after 
having  conducted  his  country  safely  through  the  War  of  Inde- 
pendence, resigning  his  sword  to  Congress,  and  retiring,  like 
Cincinnatus,  to  the  rural  shades  from  which  he  had  been  drawn 
to  fight  her  battles. 

Of  all  history,  then,  let  that  of  your  own  Country  be  most 
deeply  imprinted  on  your  minds.  It  will  explain  tlie  ])rinciplcs 
for  which  your  fathers  fought,  and  teacij  you  to  bind  them  in 
your  inmost  hearts.  It  will  show  you  the  priceless  value  of  the 
high  privileges  you  inherit,  and  cause  you  to  resolve,  like  pa- 
triots, to  preserve  them  for  yourselves,  and  to  transmit  them, 
undiminished,  to  posterity.  It  will  show  you  th.e  fatal  effects  of 
Civil  and  Religious  intolerance;  the  despotism  that  has  been 
exercised  over  the  minds  and  consciences  of  men;  the  atrocities 


&4 

that  have  been  perpetrated  in  the  name  of  Religion,  and  for  the 
sake  of  Heaven;  and  wiiile  it  v.ill  inspire  you  \vit!i  an  ablior- 
rence  of  the  ci'uclties  that  drove  our  ancestors  from  all  the 
comfoi-ts  and  elegancies  of  rvuiicmcnt  to  a  howling  \\ilderness, 
it  will  also  ius|)ir'e  you  with  an  ardent  attaciimentto  those  great 
])rincip1es  of  civil  and  religions  liberty,  for  which  they  endured 
so  many  dangers  and  privations,  and  which  they  have  left  us  as 
their  richest  legacy,  consecrated  by  their  sufferings,  and  sealed 
with  their  blood.  It  will  show  you,  moreover,  that  in  all  free 
countries,  and  in  ours  not  less  than  others,  tlicre  is  always  dan- 
ger that  patriotism  may  be  merged  in  faction,  and  that  the  peo- 
ple, forgetting  their  country  in  subserviency  to  party,  and  still 
Worse,  to  men,  may  become  the  servile  tools  of  demagogues, 
and  fit  instruments  of  tyranny.  And  thus  it  will  show  you, 
again,  how  exceedingly  impoi'tant  it  is,  that  pai'ty  spirit  should 
be  ei'adicated  from  amongst  us,  and  that  the  citizens  of  this 
gi-eat  Republic,  acting  on  principle  for  the  public  good,  sliould 
disdain  to  forego  their  country,  cither  for  the  accomj)lisIimcnt 
of  factious  objects,  or  the  advancement  of  ambitious  men! 

Such,  t!icn,  is  a  faint  exhibition  of  the  course  of  conduct 
that  is  indispensable  to  eminence,  or,  in  other  words,  of  what  I 
conceive  to  be  included  in  your  duties  to  youi-selves.  By  jjur- 
suing  this  course,  you  will  become  well  qualified  to  discharge 
your  duties  to  your  Country! 

On  this  point,  I  shall  say  but  little,  though  it  opens  a  field 
not  less  attractive  than  unbounded.  He  who  faithfully  performs 
liis  duty  to  himself,  by  the  enrichment  of  his  mind  with  know^- 
ledge,  and  his  heart  with  virtue,  can  scarcely  fail  in  his  obli- 
gations to  his  country.  It  may  safely  be  presumed  that  he 
would  be  a  good  citizen,  in  the  ordinary  acceptation  of  the 
teim.  But  passive  fidelity  is  at  best  but  a  negative  quality. — 
Your  coujitry  requires  your  services,  as  well  as  your  affections. 
It  is  not  sufficient  that  you  revere  the  Constitution;  you  must 
support  and  defend  it  against  all  infractions,  from  whatever 
quarter  they  may  come,  whether  from  the  Federal  or  State 
departments  of  the  Government.  It  is  not  sufficient  that  you 
Iy',e  the  Union;  you  must  enlist  as  soldiers,  under  its  holy 


25 

ban'i>er,  whenevor  any  enemy  shall  attempt  to  umlermiue  it* 
foundatiyn.s,  or  to  batter  down  its  walls.  In  a  word,  it  is  not 
sufiicient  to  obey  the  laws,  or  approve  the  in°4itution3,  utidcp 
which  you  live;  they  must  be  actively  sustaisied  a;ul  advocated, 
whenever  their  auUiority  sliall  be  assailed  by  violence,  or  their 
existence  endangered  by  illegal  combinatioiis.  And,  that  you 
Diay  sustain  them  properly,  make  yourselves  thoroughly  con- 
versant with  the  true  character,  and  legitimate  functions,  of  our 
federative  system.  Examine  it  well,  in  all  its  hearings  ami 
relations.  Ascertain  the  jmrposcs  for  which  it  was  made,  tho 
extent  of  the  powers  conferred  upon  it,  and  of  those  reserved 
to  the  individual  States.  You  will  then  comprehend  it,  in  all 
its  harmony  and  beauty.  You  will  then  sec  independent  sove- 
reignties, exercising,  jointly,  certain  common  powers  for  their 
common  good,  reciprocally  securing  the  rights  and  liberties  of 
all  the  parties  to  the  compact,  and  exercising  separately  th© 
■whole  residuary  mass  of  undelegated  power.  There  is  no  other 
government  like  this.  The  woild  has  produced  no  parallel. 
It  may  have  defects,  but  they  are  spots  in  the  sun,  almost  invi« 
9ible  in  its  radiance,  and  not  worth  the  trouble  of  detection. — 
Whatever,  therefore,  may  be  the  defects  of  the  system,  or  the 
errors  or  abuses  of  authority  under  it,  let  nothing  strike  at  the 
existence  of  the  government  itself.  Defects  may  be  remedied, 
abuses  corrected,  all  minor  evils  may  be  eradicated  or  endured ; 
but  destroy  this  Union,  and  who  can  rebuild  it  ?  Dismember 
these  confederated  States,  and  who  can  save  them  from  irrepa- 
rable ruin?  Extinguish  the  light  of  this  Republic,  that  now 
guides  the  efforts  and  animates  the  hopes  of  suffering  huma- 
nity, in  other  portions  of  the  globe,  and  *'  where's  the  Prome- 
thean heat  that  can  this  light  relume**  ?  Bear  with  me,  gentle- 
men, in  the  expression  of  these  sentiments.  Be  assured  it  i.i 
not  superfluous  or  unnecessary.  The  language  of  disunion  has 
become  too  common.  Time  was,  when,  like  the  first  approach 
of  vice,  it  excited  horror:  hut,  like  vice,  familiarity  has  not  only 
diminished  its  offensivencss,  but  even  rendered  it,  to  a  certain 
extent,  an  object  of  desir».  In  the  youth  of  our  country,  how- 
ever, is  our  country's  hope.     On  you  will  dej>end,  matorially^ 

B 


i)\e  perjietuity,  or  downfall,  of  tliia  glorious  fabric.  Chen.shj 
then,  an  ardent  der(5tlon  to  our  happy  forms  of  government^ 
both  State  and  Fcdeval.  Sustain  the  States,  to  the  full  extent 
of  their  reserved  authorities,  and  restrain  the  Federal  Legisla- 
ture within  its  constitutional  sphere.  But  cultivate,  also,  an 
expanded  patriotrsm,  and  a  generous  attachment  to  evenj  por- 
tion of  the  Union.  Never  suffer  your  country  to  be  sacrificed 
to  faction,  nor  your  judgment  to  be  blinded  by  local  prejudices, 
f)ut,  rising  above  all  sectional  and  cantractcd  views,  remember 
that  you  are  American  citizens,  as  wefl  as  citiEeiis  of  States, 
and  that  he  wtio  is  false  to  our  common  country,  can  never  be 
faithful  to  his  native  State.  And  remember,  moreover,  that 
while  wc  live  under  a  system  of  political  equality,  wc  also  pro- 
fess to  live  under  a  government  of  laws.  We  boast  of  the  capa- 
city of  man  to  govern  himself.  We  profess  to  uphold  the  ma* 
jesty  of  the  laws,  to  revere  the  sanctity  of  justice,  and  to  act 
on  the  principle  that  a  man  is  presumed  to  be  innocent,  until 
he  has  been  proved  to  be  guilty.  Events,  however,  have  re- 
cently occurred,  setting  all  these  principles  at  defiance,  tramp- 
ling on  the  institutions  of  justice,  and  threatening  to  uproot 
the  foundations  of  civil  society  itself.  The  spirit  of  n>obocracy 
has  crossed  the  Atlantic,  and  burst  forth,  in  this  lancl  of  hiw» 
til  all  its  hideous  deformity,  and  atrocious  violence.  Property 
is  destroyed,  cruelty  inflicted,  and  even  life  itself  is  taken,  not 
merely  on  suspicion,  but  often  in  cases  where  it  is  known  that 
no  guilt  exists.  Now,  unless  this  lawless  si>irit  is  arrested,  it 
will  necessarily  befon»e  more  freqnent  in  occurrence,  and  more 
violent  in  action.  No  man*s  life  arproperty  wiH  be  safe,  who- 
happens  to  be  enrolled  on  the  list  of  the  proscribed.  Anarchy 
\\ill  usurp  the  place  of  law,  and  our  country  will  become  the 
theatre  of  many  a  bloody  and  disgraceful  scene,  in  which  not 
only  every  act  of  violence  will  be  an  outrage  on  society,  but  \n 
which,  from  the  very  nature  of  the  case,  the  innocen^t  rn'tW  bo 
punished  indiscmmtnately  with  the  guilty.  And,  akin  to  this 
spirit  of  illegal  violence,  is  that  revolting  doctrine  that  wouhl 
array  the  poor  against  the  ricli,  as  opposite  and  hostile  classes^ 
and  that  labors  to  introduces  community  of  propertip,  under  clio 


27 

specious  appellation  of  an  equality  of  rights.  History  afforcfa! 
many  warning  cxauiplcs  of  its  baleful  fruits.  In  tiie  Grecian 
Commonwealths,  contests  frequently  arose  from  the  inequality 
of  property,  and  whenever  the  poor  prevailed,  they  expelled  the 
I'ich,  and  tooiv  possession  of  their  Vvcalth.  Similar  contests 
occurred  in  Rome,  and  produced  the  passage  of  Agrarian  laws. 
This  same  d(»ctrin<3  was  interwoven  with  the  French  Revolu- 
tion, and  caused  many  of  the  horrors  of  that  menioi-able  drama. 
And  HOW  we  have  it  in  America,  It  is  true  that  it  has  been 
hitherto  confined  to  the  more  populous  cities  of  the  North,  and 
that,  from  the  peculiar  organization  of  Southern  society,  and 
particularly  from  the  institution  of  domestic  slavery,  it  can 
scarcely  be  said  to  have  gained  a  foothold  in  the  region  of  tho 
South.  But,  like  t!ic  spirit  of  mobocracy,  it  is  contagious  in 
its  character,  and  therefore  cannot  be  too  solemnly  deprecated, 
or  too  earnestly  resisted.  If  not  checked  at  the  North,  it  may 
spread  to  the  South,  and,  wherever  it  apjjcars,  it  is  destined, 
sooner  or  later,  to  produce  a  convulsion  of  all  the  elements  of 
civil  society,  to  which  nothing  can  be  compared  but  the  tremen- 
dous eruption  of  a  burning  mountain.  He,  therefore,  who  as- 
pires to  the  title  of  a  patriot,  should  be  the  uncompromising 
oj)ponent  of  eveiy  doctrine  and  every  practice,  no  matter  how 
glossed  by  specious  pretexts,  or  artfully  urged  foi'  the  public 
good,  of  which  the  tendency  is  to  substitute  lawless  violence  for 
the  established  forms  of  justice,  or  to  produce  a  conflict  be- 
tween different  portions  of  the  people,  whicii  insidious  agitators- 
may  produce,  but  which,  wlvcn  once  begun,  no^ human  power  o? 
Avisdom  can  control.  And  here,  permit  me  to  remind  you,  th.it 
as  Consolidation  and  Disunion  are  the  two  extremes  of  our 
political  system,  and  its  equilibrium  can  only  be  maintained  by 
averting  both,  so  both  can  only  be  averted  bij  a  strict  observance 
of  the  Constitution,  and  by  causing  the  goverimient  to  be  admin- 
istered with  impartiality  and  kindness  as  regards  the  States. 
And  let  liie  warn  you  also,  to  beware  of  the  excesses  of  party 
spirit.  Doubtless  it  may  be  necessary  to  a  certain  extent,  in 
a  government  like  ours.  The  vigilance  of  a  minority  may  ba 
highly  important  in  restraining  abuses  by  a  dominant  majority; 


and  the  collision  of  intellect  and  the  excitement  of  conflict,  may 
be  eqisally  important  in  kindling  and  spreading  the  fire  of  free- 
dom, seeing  tliat  any  thing,  no  matter  what,  the  constant  con- 
tention of  party,  or  the  ntmost  licentiousiiess  of  liherty,  arc  far 
preferable  to  that  miserable  apathy  which  is  political  death, 
or  to  that  general  servility  which  is  the  bane  of  a  Rcpnblic,  and 
tl'.e  stepping  stone  to  monarchy.  But  tliere  is  a  medium  in 
this,  as  in  every  thing  else;  and,  as  party  is  but  too  apt  to  de- 
generate into  faction,  and  principles  to  be  forgotten  in  devotion 
to  men,  so  a  true  patriot,  looking  honestly  and  steadily  to  his 
country's  good,  N\ill  neither  bow  servilely  to  t!ie  dictation  of 
power  on  the  one  liaiu',  nor  siuTor  liimself  to  be  governed  by  a 
reckless  spirit  of  indiscriminating  opposition  on  the  other.— 
Ami,  while  you  act  upon  these  high  and  expanded  piinciples  in 
politics,  as  I  trust  you  will,  let  not  the  ^"cat  caiise  of  general 
education  be  forgotten.  1  shall  offer  no  argument  to  prove  tho 
intimate  connection  between  Intclligcucc  and  Freedom.  None 
but  an  educated  people  can  be  virtuous,  and  nothing  but  public 
virtue  can  preserve  our  republican  institutions  in  tlicir  purity. 
And,  in  connection  with  popular  enlightenment,  without 
which  every  thing  else  is  vain,  it  will  be  not  the  least  of  your 
obligations,  as  citizens,  to  promote  to  the  utmost  of  your  ability 
nnd  i!)flt!cncc  all  liberal  and  pnblic-spiriled  enterprises,  which 
have  for  their  object  the  advancement  of  our  country  in  intel- 
lectual, moral,  or  pliysica!  strength,  or  are  calculated  to  give 
us  a  name  amongst  the  nations,  and  to  knit  us  togetlicr  in  unity 
as  a  ])olitical  family  at  home.  Such  are  some  of  the  duties 
which  you  owe  your  country.  I  come  now  to  speak  of  tliose 
that  you  owe  to  Goil! 

These  may  all  be  comprised  in  a  single  word.  They  are, 
to  acqtiire  personal  piety  fur  yotirselvcs,  and  to  honour  and 
suRtain  the  Christiati  Religion,  and  all  the  institutions  a)id  ope- 
rations connected  witli  it.  Of  all  the  enemies  of  the  human 
race,  he  is  the  greatest,  who,  in  a  country  like  ours,  would 
disseminntc  the  poison  of  infidelity,  and  destroy  at  onrc  tho 
i>ai)liiiiess  of  iu<ii\i«hials,  aiul  tlie  very  fiujudation  of  our  (tov-  ,>* 
wntnieiit.     Christianity  is  the  i-otk  o«  'Aliicli  they  stawd,  and,  * 


5^ 

■without  wliich  there  would  bo  no  hope  for  either.  Extinguish 
t'lau  J^iul  as  the  extinction  of  the  natural  sun  would  produce 
universal  desolation,  so  tlie  moral  world  would  be  wrapt  in 
diukncss.  Abolish  that,  and  the  vail  of  our  political  templo 
"i^otild  be  rent,  and  the  people  would  be  driven  into  despotism, 
as  the  only  refuge  from  their  own  excesses.  Disdain  the  idea 
that  R,eligion  is  an  evidence  of  mental  imbecility.  That  can- 
not be  weakness,  which  proceeds  from  the  fountain  of  infinita 
wisdom.  That  cannot  be  weakness,  to  whicli  we  are  in- 
dcLted  for  ti»e  purest  system  of  morality,  tiie  most  sacred 
priMCi[>les  of  justice,  and  for  all  that  is  precious  in  the  rights 
of  man.  Examine  the  history  of  your  own  country,  and  you 
win  find,  tiiat,  generally  intelligent  as  our  people  are,  there  is 
at  least  an  equal  amount  of  learning  in  those  devoted  to  Reli- 
gion, as  in  any  other  class.  Consult  the  annals  of  the  Chris- 
tian world,  from  the  Christian  JEra  down,  and  you  will  find, 
that  in  every  age  and  country,  literature  and  science  have  been 
more  extensively  cultivated,  and  more  essentially  advanced, 
Ly  ministers  and  professors  of  Christianity,  than  by  any  other 
portion  of  society  whatever.  He,  then,  who  rejects  the  hope 
set  before  him  in  the  Gospel,  from  the  miserable  fear  tliat,  by 
embracing  it,  he  may  be  subjected  to  the  imputation  of  mental 
svcakncss  or  superstitious  folly,  not  only  exhibits  gross  igno- 
rance of  Christianity  itself,  but  of  the  host  oi  literati  thathave^^ 
been  and  arc  enlisted  in  its  service.  There  is,  indeed,  no  ob- 
ject more  pure,  or  elevated,  or  eimobllng,  to  which  human  in- 
tellect and  eloquence  can  be  applied,  than  in  inculcatiug  the 
obligations,  and  exhibiting  the  advantages  of  the  Christian 
Religion.  Sullcr  me,  then,  to  entreat  you  to  consider  its  im- 
portance to  yourselves,  your  country,  and  tiie  world.  Realize 
the  great  trulii,  that  without  personal  piety,  you  can  have  no 
solid  happiness  oh  earth,  and  no  hope  of  felicity  hereafter.— 
Realize  the  great  truth,  also,  that  the  genius  of  Christianity 
is  the  source  from  which  we  derive  all  that  we  are,  and  all  that 
we  have,  as  a  free,  enlightened,  and  happy  people,  and  that, 
Mifnout  its  pure  and  elevating  influence,  we  should  iiftT«  been 
iiivolvcd  in  all  the  darkness  anil  degradation  of  sujjerstitio!!. 


50 

ignorance  and  viee.  Realize  these  great  trutlis,  and  you  caiT- 
not  fail  to  be  impressed  with  the  imperious  corresponding  ebli- 
gations  that  rest  upon  you,  to  love  and  honor  God,  and  to  ex- 
ert all  your  energies  in  sustaining  and  diffusing  the  institutions 
of  the  Gospel,  Go,  tlicn,  Gentlemen,  into  the  untried  woidd 
that  lies  before  you.  I  have  already  shown  that  it  is  not  a 
field  in  which  you  will  have  only  to  recline  by  gurgling  streams, 
or  muse  in  shady  groves,  or  regale  your  senses  v.ith  fruits  and 
flowers,  but  that  it  is  a  theatre  of  action,  in  whicii  t!ie  prizo 
»f  honor  can  only  be  attained  by  a  rare  combination  of  intcN 
lect  and  eloquence,  of  industry  and  virtue.  Put  on  the  ar- 
mour, then,  that  is  best  ada])ted  for  the  conflict.  How  lionor- 
abte  will  it  be  to  yourselves,  to  attain  distinction  as  the  just 
reward  of  superior  merit!  How  gratifying  will  it  be  to  your 
revered  Preceptoi»s,  and  all  your  relatives,  to  witness  your  ca- 
reer, as  orators  and  scholars,  from  one  iK>int  of  elevation  to 
another,  and  to  know  that  eacii  ascending  step  is  the  evidenc* 
and  the  effect  of  a  corresponding  growth,  on  your  part,  in  atl 
the  elements  that  enter  into  the  composition  of  human  great- 
ness! Go  then,  Gentlemen,  and  carry  witli  you  the  princi- 
ples I  have  endeavored  to  delineate.  Determine  to  excel  in 
all  noble  arts  and  qualities.  Cultivate  an  ardent  love  of  libei** 
ty,  and  a  deep  and  abiding  attachment  to  the  excellent  Gov- 
cmmtent  under  which  we  live.  Above  all,  determine  to  b« 
Christians — always  remembering,  that  he  only  is  a  real  pa- 
triot, who  serves  his  country  in  the  fear  of  God  ;  that  he  only 
is  truly  rich,  who  enjoys  the  friendship  of  his  Saviour;  and 
that  all  earthly  honors  arc  worse  than  nothing,  when  compared 
with  the  honor  that  comcth  from  on  high.  And  now.  Farewell. 
Pursue  the  course  recommended,  and  every  rational  aspiration 
■will  be  fully  gratified.  You  will  go  through  life  witii  useful- 
ness and  honor,  popular  admiration  will  crown  you  with  un- 
dying fame,  nnd  a  grateful  country  will  venerate  your  memo- 
ries ! 


m 


i 


